Three delegates attend Illini Girls State

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The American Legion Auxiliary Alva Courier Unit 487 of Chester has chosen three delegates to attend the 72nd session of Illini Girls State sponsored by the Department of Illinois American Legion Auxiliary. The delegates are: Elizabeth McClure, Allison Petrowske and Andrea Wagner. The session was held June 17 - 23, 2012 on the campus of Eastern Illinois University of Charleston.

Illini Girls State is a simulation patterned after the State of Illinois; if follows Illinois government procedures as closely as possible. It is a practical application of Americanism and good citizenship which attempts to teach an inculcate in our youth a love of America and sense of individual obligation to community, state and nation. It is a powerful, intense learning experience.

Five hundred eighty four girls from the State of Illinois attend Illini Girls State. They learn the way a two-party system works through fictitious parties. They caucus, have primary and general elections, and participate in a party convention.

They elect city, county, and state officials. They learn the duties of various public offices - their functions, limitations, and powers. They have their own legislature where they introduce, debate, and pass their own bills. They regulate their own cities, enforce their own laws, and hold mock court trials.

Each girl had a chance to learn for herself that her government is just what she makes it. She learned the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities as a citizen of the Illini Girls State that will help her fully participate as an American citizen. Girls State is physically strenuous and intellectually challenging. The attendees must maintain a required academic level to qualify. Previous attendees have stated that Girls State is a "life changing experience".